Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘FLOR251744’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘FLOR251744’ particularly characterized by flowers which are white with some yellow and red/purple in the labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘FLOR251744’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceae family, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘FLOR251744’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceous perennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable for cultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantly epiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the Malay Archipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy, oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodial growth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. The leaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in the horticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for the florist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home or interiorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often with many showy flowers which open in succession beginning with the lowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; the lateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, is three-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flower segments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellow and red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexual propagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots which frequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. The resulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be planted in a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘FLOR251744’ is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by its attractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissue culture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging and shipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘FLOR251744’ originated from a cross made by the inventor in 1999 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female or seed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Join Grace’, unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Taisuco Wonder’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘FLOR251744’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in 2007 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture (mericloning) was first performed in November, 2007 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘FLOR251744’, which in combination distinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are white with some yellow and red/purple in         the labellum;     -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;     -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using         tissue culture;     -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and     -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘FLOR251744’, the diameter of the female parent ‘Join Grace’ is about 13 cm and with the male parent ‘Taisuco Wonder’ it is about 11 cm, whereas the diameter of the flowers of ‘FLOR251744’ is about 10 cm.

Presently, a commercial cultivar to which ‘FLOR251744’ can be meaningfully compared is ‘Silent Song’ (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/986,343). The plant size of ‘FLOR251744’ is larger than ‘Silent Song’. Also the size of the flower of ‘FLOR251744’ is larger. The color yellow in the labellum of both plants also differs. ‘FLOR251744’ has green/yellow and ‘Silent Song’ has yellow/green.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis ‘FLOR251744’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘FLOR251744’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘FLOR251744’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘FLOR251744’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘FLOR251744’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘FLOR251744’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘FLOR251744’ as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘FLOR251744’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phase of ‘FLOR251744’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘FLOR251744’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growth of ‘FLOR251744’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. The age of the ‘FLOR251744’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated             ‘Join Grace’, unpatented.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated             ‘Taisuco Wonder’, unpatented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 4 mm-6             mm wide and green in color (RHS 145A); freely branching. It             takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue culture to             initiate roots. -   Plant:     -   -   Size at maturity.—Height: about 66 cm. Spread: about 60 cm.         -   Growth habit.—Large; dark green leaves (RHS 137A) and a             relatively normal raceme.         -   Vigor.—Moderate.         -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks             2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after             a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of             about 19° C. about 1-2 racemes with flowers appear. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 5 to 6 leaves are produced before             flowering.         -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two             sides.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval, long leaves, the tip is blunt             and asymmetric.         -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Mature leaf length.—About 19 to 29 cm.         -   Mature leaf width.—About 5 to 10 mm.         -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 1.5 mm.         -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS 137A). Under side:             green (RHS 137C).         -   Leaf base.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:             green (RHS N137B). under side: red/purple (RHS 137D). -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 34 mm. Diameter (at             midpoint): about 29 mm. Shape: egg-shaped. Color: main color             is yellow/green (RHS 145C) with a purple haze (RHS 77C). -   Raceme:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 1 to 2.         -   Number of flowers per raceme.—About 6 to 12.         -   Length.—About 60 to 80 cm. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Diameter.—About 5 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.         -   Color.—Green (RHS N137D) which runs into RHS 137C.         -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that             has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a             temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after             a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-2             racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers             can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a             plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.         -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;             lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3             days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at             opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: typical shape of             Phalaenopsis orchid; see FIG. 2 Size (of single bloom):             Height: about 95 mm to 110 mm. Diameter: about 100 mm to             106 mm. Quantity and arrangement: three petals and three             sepals that are trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2             whorls. Petals are more pronounced than sepals.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2             lateral petals and a labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall             shape: broadly ovate and weakly cupped. Apex: oval. Margin:             entire and weakly undulate. Base: broadly ovate. Length:             about 65 mm. Width: about 50 mm. Texture: Upper surface:             smooth and satiny. Under surface: smooth and satiny. Color             (when fully opened): upper side: white (RHS NN155C). Under             side: white (RHS NN155C) with a light purple haze (RHS 75A).             Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent             callosities at central junction of the lateral lobes and             base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward             about the column; the midlobe extends forward and is             terminated by 2 filiform appendages at the apex. Lateral             lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe             is triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin: entire             and weakly undulate. Apex: lateral lobes: oval. Midlobe:             slightly pointy corners. Length midlobe: about 25 mm. Width             (not flattened) midlobe: about 26 mm. Length lateral lobe:             about 25 mm. Width (not flattened) lateral lobe: about 17.             Depth of tube created from lateral lobes of labellum: about             11 mm. Texture: Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny.             Color (when fully opened): Midlobe: upper surface: main             color is white (RHS NN155C). At the base some little             spots/stripes are red/purple (RHS 60B). Some green/yellow             (RHS 1A) in corners and in center. Under surface: main color             is white (RHS NN155C). At the base purple (RHS N78B) and             green/yellow in corners (RHS 1A). Edges from base to corners             are red/purple (RHS 60B). Lateral lobes: upper surface: main             color is white (RHS NN155C). At base red/purple stripes (RHS             59B) and a haze of RHS 60B. Lower edge small line of RHS 60B             and after that a yellow border (RHS 2A). Under surface: main             color is white (RHS NN155C). At the base red/purple (RHS             59C). At lower edge a small line of RHS 60B. Lower corners             yellow (RHS 2A). Cirrhi: long (about 27 mm) and curly. In             between a little point (about 4 mm). color: white (RHS             NN155C) with yellow tips (RHS 2A). Pestle (Callosities):             Length: about 7 mm. Width (not flattened): about 8 mm.             Color: main color is white (NN155C). Sides and top are             yellow (RHS 7B) with red/purple stripes and spots (RHS 59B).         -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals: one             dorsal and two lateral sepals. Overall shape: elliptical and             weakly cupped. Margin: entire and weakly undulate. Length:             about 53 mm. Width: about 34 mm. Apex: dorsal: oval with a             very small notch. Lateral: slightly pointy. Texture: Upper             and under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully             opened): upper surface: main color is white (RHS NN155C).             Lateral sepals have green/yellow flared mark (RHS N144D) at             the base . Under surface: main color is white (RHS NN155C).             Dorsal sepal has a purple haze (RHS 77B). Lateral sepals has             a purple haze and purple vein (RHS 77C/RHS 77B). From base             yellow/green flared mark (RHS N144D).         -   Pedicel.—Length: about 45 mm. Diameter: about 4 mm. Texture:             glabrous and smooth. Color: at the base green (RHS 137C), in             the middle yellow/green (RHS 145A) and close to flower             purple (RHS 76B). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a             single, short structure called the column, possessing one             terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,             which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located             under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior             with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.         -   Column.—Length: about 11 mm. Diameter: about 7 mm. Color:             white (RHS NN155C). Pollinia: Quantity: two. Diameter: about             1 mm. Color: orange (RHS 24A).         -   Ovary.—Length: about 4 mm. Diameter: about 6 mm. Color:             white (RHS NN155D). -   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.     and to a high temperature about 30° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘FLOR251744’, as illustrated and described herein. 